>> WORK ON THE STATE BUDGET SLOWED DOWN THE PAST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AS LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS NEGOTIATED AMONGST THEMSELVES AND WITH DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TONY EVERS TO REACH A COMPROMISE ON SHARED REVENUE FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.

THE SOLUTION REQUIRED PROMISES FROM THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN OFF ON A BIG INCREASE IN STATE PAYMENTS TO PRIVATE VOUCHER SCHOOLS, AN EXTRA BILLION DOLLARS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND DROPPING THE REQUIREMENT THAT MILWAUKEE GO TO REFERENDUM IN ORDER TO PASS AN INCREASE IN THEIR SALES TAX.

THEY SAY THE BEST DEALS IN POLITICS ARE OFTEN THE ONES WHERE NO ONE COMES AWAY PERFECTLY HAPPY, WHICH WAS THE CASE THIS WEEK AS SENATE AND ASSEMBLY SIGNED OFF ON THE BILLS WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION.

>> THERE ARE 21 AYES, 12 NOs AND THE BILL IS CONCURRED IN AS AMENDED.

>> THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CLEAN BILL.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN PATH WITH CONSENSUS AND INSTEAD REPUBLICANS, TO MY UNDERSTANDING, ARE STILL IN-FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY'VE DECIDED TO INSERT UNPOPULAR IDEAS INTO THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> THERE ARE 68 AYES AND 26 NOS.

SENATE AMENDMENT ONE IS CONCURRED IN AS AMENDED.

>> PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS GIVE-AND-TAKE.

THERE ARE PARTS IN THE BILL THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON TODAY, THAT IF IT WERE JUST ME, I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY,BY THAT'S DISAGREEMENTS EVEN AMONGST REPUBLICANS.

THEN YOU ADD IN TRYING TO FIND A TRULY BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

WE HAD TO GIVE UP ON SOME THINGS